Basic Kirlian Photography

Kirlian photography is a high voltage, contact print photography. The process is simple. Sheet film is placed on top of a metal plate, called the discharge or film plate. The object to photograph is placed on top of the film. If the object to be Kirlian photographed is inanimate, such as a coin or leaf, a earth ground is connected to the object (See Diagram).

High voltage is applied to the plate momentarily to make an exposure. The corona discharge between the object and discharge plate passes through and is recorded onto the film. When the film is developed you have a Kirlian photograph of the object.

Short History of Kirlian Photography

Kirlian photography is named after Semyon Davidovich Kirlian and his wife Valentina who began their work with high voltage photography in 1939. Kirlian collaborated with his wife for over 30 years developing equipment and studying electro-photography.

The Kirlian's work was first made known to the general public in this country by a book published in 1970 by Shelia Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder titled "Psychic discoveries Behind the Iron Curtain". Kirlian work became so well know that the field of high voltage electro-photography is called Kirlian Photography.

Although Kirlian wasn't the first to study electro-photography. The field of electro-photography can be traced back to the late 1700s. At this time Georg Christoph Lictenberg noted the pictures made in dust create by static electricity and electric sparks. Nicola Tesla (1880) photographed many corona discharges using his famous Tesla coil. In the early 1900s, Russian researcher Yakov Narkevich-Todka exhibited electro photographs he had made. A little later, Dr. F.F. Strong of Tufts University Medical School used a Tesla coil to make electro-photographs of his hand.

Paranormal Claims for Kirlian Photography Devices for Sale on the Internet:

There are numerous Kirlian devices being sold on the internet today. To sell their devices the corona discharge in the resulting kirlian photograph is claimed to be paranormal or hold information that can be decrypted by the company's Kirlian researchers. All my research to date shows the corona discharge can be explained by employing known physical laws, like changes in subjects skin resistance (due to factors like; stress-lying, illness, fatigue, alcohol consumption, etc) without the necessity of invoking paranormal (bio-plasma) factors. Some other variable factors influencing the resulting Kirlian picture including the object's pressure against film, air humidity, air pressure, voltage, frequency, and exposure time. If anyone has any evidence to the contrary, I would be more than happy to examine that data.

We have never made any "paranormal" claims to sell our Kirlian photography devices. Our devices are sold to make brilliant Kirlian photographs. If one wants to do paranormal research with our devices that fine. Just know we make no claim that any interpretation of the corona discharge is due to anything other than standard variable physical parameters as already outlined previously. If you discover something different, please let us know. We are open to examine any new evidence or data that comes along. Kirlian photography devices and components that are available are provide below. Sample pictures taken with our devices are shown above and below.

Sample Kirlian Photographs

Kirlian Photography Equipment

Kirlian Components >>
Kirlian High Voltage Power Supplies >>

Kirlian Camera Device The Model 4 has all photography functions on the front panel. (Custom Order 4-8 weeks delivery -- Disclaimer Required) Kirlian Disclaimer Form -- Required for purchase of Kirlian photography device These include the on/off power switch, discharge switch, Hi-Low frequency switch and variable frequency control. The discharge plate is located on the left hand side of the device.  The terms discharge plate and film plate mean one and the same. The on/off switch provides main power to the circuit.  discharge switch is a momentary contact switch that applies the electrical power to the discharge plate.  The frequency control varies the frequency of the electrical power going to the discharge plate. Additional Features HV output on back panel for connecting other discharge plates, like the TDP-01 Transparent Discharge Plate. 1/4" Jack for connecting a footswitch. Allows photographer to activate discharge using the footswitch. Using the footswitch allows the photographer to free his or her hand. This device is designed to work with all 4" X 5" color, b/w 4" X 5" sheet film and paper as well as polaroid film. Kirlian Photography Device KPD-01 $295.95

Transparent Discharge Plate To take Kirlian photographs using a standard 35mm film camera, digital camera or video camera, requires the use of a transparent discharge plate. A transparent discharge plate is constructed from three main components; a 4" x 5" piece of glass that has a transparent conductive coating (typically tin oxide) on one side, see parts list, a ring electrode made from thin copper sheeting or thin one sided copper clad board, and a .005 thick piece of transparent plastic. The transparency of our transparent discharge plates surpasses 90 percent. TDP-01 $99.95

Foot Switch for the Kirlian Photography Device The Footswitch for the Kirlian Photography Device allows the photogapher to have both hands free and concentrate on taking the the photograph while setting off the discharge with his or her foot. KFS-01 $14.95

Kirlian Photography by John Iovine In Kirlian Photography, John Iovine gives you all the hands-on guidance you need to produce Kirlian photographs using standard 35mm or video cameras. You'll also learn about the history of electrophotography and may of its possible applications in medicine, industry, and the military. Especially illuminating is his discussion of the "phantom leaf" aura that continues to baffle scientists. Kirlian Photography by John Iovine BK-01 $24.95